Opening round better than finish for Blue Jays

• Brady Hoggarth

Brady Hoggarth watches a shot during the 2-day East-West Classic at Wahpeton’s Boise de Sioux Golf Course. (Dean Kraft/For The Sun)

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WAHPETON — The Jamestown High School boys golf team wasn’t able to place anyone in the top 10 at Saturday’s East-West Classic at Bois de Sioux Golf Course.

The West, as a whole, didn’t fare much better.

Nick Nustad of Bismarck High and B.J. Mahar of Williston placed eighth and 10th, respectively, as the East Region dominated the competition, led by Connor Holland’s medalist score of 143. His school, West Fargo, won the overall competition with a 601, seven strokes better than runner-up Fargo North.

Fargo Shanley finished third (620), while Bismarck High (641) and Bismarck Century (645) rounded out the top five. Bismarck St. Mary’s was the next closest West team, taking 10th with a 672. Jamestown was 17th out of 19 teams with a 710.

“Even though 351 isn’t a great score (the first day), it put us in 13th place and gave us a shot of getting into the top 10,” JHS coach Dean Kraft said.

Jamestown did better in its opening round than it did in the final round as only two Blue Jays played better in the second round.

However, Brandon Hart and Nick Stockert shot in the 80s both rounds. Hart led the Jays with an 84 and an 89 for a team-best 173. Stockert’s pair of 89s was third-best on the team with a 178. Brandon Stahlhut started with an 86 and finished with a 91, good for second.

“Second day, we took a big turn in the wrong direction, shooting eight shots worse on a really nice day to play,” Kraft said.

Austin Rene edged teammate Brady Hoggarth with a 92 and 90 for a 182. Hoggarth’s 92s put him at 184, three better than Jakobi Lux, who improved on his 95 with a 92 for a two-round score of 187.

“Collectively, we have to get it together soon as the West Region (meet) is soon upon us,” Kraft said. “Good news is we have 72 holes of tournament play before the regional, so there is still time to turn things around.”

Jamestown continues its season when it hosts an invite Friday at Hillcrest Golf Course. Tee-off is slated for 11 a.m.

East-West Classic

At Bois De Sioux Golf Course, Wahpeton

Team results

1. West Fargo 601. 2. Fargo North 608. 3. Fargo Shanley 620. 4. Bismarck 641. 5. Century 645. 6. Wahpeton 647. 7. Valley City 653. 8. Grand Forks Red River 663. 9. Fargo Davies 671. 10. St. Mary’s 672. 11. Dickinson 679. 12. Minot 680. 13. Fargo South 680. 14. Mandan 707. 15. (tie) Grand Forks Central, Turtle Mountain 708. 17. Jamestown 710. 18. Williston 717. 19. Devils Lake 723.

Top 10 results and Jamestown

1. Connor Holland, West Fargo, 69-74 — 143. 2. Nick Evin, West Fargo, 74-70 — 144. 3. (tie) Grady Meyer, Shanley, 76-71 — 147, Landon Poss, Fargo South, 75-72 — 147. 5. Tyler Rivard, Shanley, 77-74 — 151. 6. Thomas Strandemo, Shanley, 78-74 — 152. 7. Riley Johnson, WF, 79-74 — 153. 8. (tie) Ryan Ames, Wahpeton, 80-74 — 154, Nick Nustad, Bismarck, 75-79 — 154. 10. BJ Mahar, Williston, 79-76 — 155.

Jamestown (708): Brandon Hart 84-89 — 173. Brandon Stahlhut 86-91 — 177. Nick Stockert 89-89 — 178. Austin Rene 92-90 — 182. Brady Hoggarth 92-92 — 184. Jakobi Lux 95-92 — 187.

Sun sports writer Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com.

Tags: sports, jays, golf, prep